"As part of a follow-up inspection in April 2025, FDA investigators collected an environmental sample from Bedner Growers, Inc. that was positive for Salmonella and matched recent clinical samples from ill people, by Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) analysis. The recent follow-up inspection was in response to the 2024 Salmonella Africana and Salmonella Braenderup outbreaks linked to cucumbers grown at Bedner Growers, Inc. Additionally, FDA’s traceback investigation has identified Bedner Growers, Inc. as the common grower of cucumbers in this current outbreak."
The company, Bedner Growers, Inc. of Boynton Beach, Florida issued a recall of cucumbers sold at Bedner’s Farm Fresh Market between April 29, 2025, and May 14, 2025. The recalled cucumbers also were sold to a wholesale distributor, which has been directed to further contact its customers with recall instructions.
Case Counts
Total Illnesses: 26
Hospitalizations: 9
Deaths: 0
Last Illness Onset: April 28, 2025
States with Cases: AL, CA, CO, FL, IL, KS, KY, MI, NC, NY, OH, PA, SC, TN, and VA
https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-salmonella-cucumbers-may-2025
Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella: Cucumbers (May 2025)
Do not eat, sell, or serve recalled cucumbers grown by Bedner Growers, Inc. and distributed by Fresh Start Produce Sales, Inc. FDA’s investigation is ongoing.
Product
Cucumbers grown by Bedner Growers, Inc., and distributed by Fresh Start Produce Sales, Inc., to retailers, distribution centers, wholesalers, and food service distributors from April 29, 2025 to present (May 19, 2025). Cucumbers distributed before this timeframe should be past shelf life and should no longer be available on the market.
Cucumbers may have been sold individually or in smaller packages, with or without a label that may not bear the same brand, product name, or best by date. For distributors, restaurants, and retailers who have purchased these cucumbers, the products were labeled as either being “supers,” “selects,” or “plains”.
On May 19, 2025, Bedner Growers, Inc., recalled cucumbers sold directly to consumers at Bedner’s Farm Fresh Market and to its wholesale distributor. More information can be found in the recall notice.
Current Update
May 20, 2025
Case Counts
Total Illnesses: 26
Hospitalizations: 9
Deaths: 0
Last Illness Onset: April 28, 2025
States with Cases: AL, CA, CO, FL, IL, KS, KY, MI, NC, NY, OH, PA, SC, TN, and VA (15)
The FDA and CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners, are investigating illnesses in a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Montevideo infections linked to cucumbers grown by Bedner Growers, Inc., in Boynton Beach, Florida, and distributed by Fresh Start Produce Sales, Inc., of Delray, Florida.
Previous Update
May 19, 2025
The FDA and CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners, are investigating illnesses in a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Montevideo infections linked to cucumbers grown by Bedner Growers, Inc., in Boynton Beach, Florida, and distributed by Fresh Start Produce Sales, Inc., of Delray, Florida.
As part of a follow-up inspection in April 2025, FDA investigators collected an environmental sample from Bedner Growers, Inc. that was positive for Salmonella and matched recent clinical samples from ill people, by Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) analysis. The recent follow-up inspection was in response to the 2024 Salmonella Africana and Salmonella Braenderup outbreaks linked to cucumbers grown at Bedner Growers, Inc. Additionally, FDA’s traceback investigation has identified Bedner Growers, Inc. as the common grower of cucumbers in this current outbreak.
As of May 16, 2025, a total of 26 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Montevideo have been reported from 15 states. Of the 23 people for whom information is available, 9 people have been hospitalized. Of the 13 people interviewed, 11 (85%) reported eating cucumbers.
FDA’s investigation is ongoing, and more information will be provided as it becomes available.
Bedner Growers, Inc., voluntarily recalled cucumbers sold at Bedner’s Farm Fresh Market between April 29, 2025, and May 14, 2025. The recalled cucumbers were available at Bedner’s Farm Fresh Market in three Florida locations including Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, and West Palm Beach between April 29, 2025, and May 14, 2025.
FDA is working to determine where potentially contaminated product was distributed.
CDC Outbreak Investigation
https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/outbreaks/whole-cucumbers-05-25/index.html
Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Whole Cucumbers
Whole fresh cucumbers grown by Bedner Growers Inc.
Distributed by Fresh Start Produce Sales Inc. between April 29, 2025 to May 19, 2025.
Distributed to stores, restaurants, and other facilities.
Cucumbers may be within shelf life for the rest of this week.
Several people ate cucumbers on cruise ships leaving ports in Florida.
Cucumbers may have been sold individually or in smaller packages and the types could be labeled as "supers," "selects," or "plains."
These cucumbers are not organic varieties.
See the recall notice for more information.
Epidemiologic, laboratory, and traceback data show that cucumbers grown by Bedner Growers Inc. and distributed by Fresh Start Produce Sales Inc. may be contaminated with Salmonella and may be making people sick.
Investigation details
CDC, public health and regulatory officials in several states, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)are collecting different types of data to investigate a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Montevideo infections.
Epidemiologic, laboratory, and traceback data show that cucumbers may be contaminated with Salmonella and may be making people sick.
Epidemiologic data
As of May 19, 2025, a total of 26 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella have been reported from 15 states. Seven sick people reported taking a cruise during the seven days prior to becoming sick, all departing from locations in Florida. Sick people were aboard 5 different cruise ships that departed the United States between March 30 and April 12. Illnesses started on dates ranging from April 2, 2025, to April 28, 2025. Of 23 people with information available, 9 have been hospitalized and no deaths have been reported.
The true number of sick people in this outbreak was likely much higher than the number reported, and this outbreak may not have been limited to the states with known illnesses. This is because many people recover without medical care and are not tested for Salmonella. In addition, recent illnesses may not yet be reported as it usually takes 3 to 4 weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak.
Public health officials collect many different types of information from sick people, including their age, race, ethnicity, other demographics, and the foods they ate in the week before they got sick. This information provides clues to help investigators identify the source of the outbreak.
The table below has information about sick people in this outbreak ("n" is the number of people with information available for each demographic).
Demographics Information
Age (n=26) Range from 2 to 69 years Median age of 53
Sex (n=26) 77% female 23% male
Race (n=24) 75% White 25% African American/Black 0% Native American or Alaska Native
0% Asian 0% Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander 0% reported more than one race
Ethnicity ( n=21) 86% non-Hispanic 14% Hispanic
State and local public health officials are interviewing people about the foods they ate in the week before they got sick. Of the 13 people interviewed so far, 11 (85%) reported eating cucumbers. This percentage was significantly higher than the 50% of respondents who reported eating cucumbers in the FoodNet Population Survey—a survey that helps estimate how often people eat various foods linked to diarrheal illness. This difference suggests that people in this outbreak got sick from eating cucumbers. Sick people on cruise ships reported eating cucumbers while on board. Three people traveled on the same ship.
Laboratory and traceback data
Public health investigators are using the PulseNet system to identify illnesses that may be part of this outbreak. CDC PulseNet manages a national database of DNA fingerprints of bacteria that cause foodborne illnesses. DNA fingerprinting is performed on bacteria using a method called whole genome sequencing (WGS). WGS showed that bacteria from sick people's samples are closely related genetically. This suggests that people in this outbreak got sick from the same food.
Public health officials collect many different types of information from sick people, including their age, race, ethnicity, other demographics, and the foods they ate in the week before they got sick. This information provides clues to help investigators identify the source of the outbreak.
The table below has information about sick people in this outbreak ("n" is the number of people with information available for each demographic).
Demographics Information
Age (n=26) Range from 2 to 69 years Median age of 53
Sex (n=26) 77% female 23% male
Race (n=24) 75% White 25% African American/Black 0% Native American or Alaska Native
0% Asian 0% Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander 0% reported more than one race
Ethnicity ( n=21) 86% non-Hispanic 14% Hispanic
State and local public health officials are interviewing people about the foods they ate in the week before they got sick. Of the 13 people interviewed so far, 11 (85%) reported eating cucumbers. This percentage was significantly higher than the 50% of respondents who reported eating cucumbers in the FoodNet Population Survey—a survey that helps estimate how often people eat various foods linked to diarrheal illness. This difference suggests that people in this outbreak got sick from eating cucumbers. Sick people on cruise ships reported eating cucumbers while on board. Three people traveled on the same ship.
Laboratory and traceback data
Public health investigators are using the PulseNet system to identify illnesses that may be part of this outbreak. CDC PulseNet manages a national database of DNA fingerprints of bacteria that cause foodborne illnesses. DNA fingerprinting is performed on bacteria using a method called whole genome sequencing (WGS). WGS showed that bacteria from sick people's samples are closely related genetically. This suggests that people in this outbreak got sick from the same food.
People reported buying and eating cucumbers from a variety of locations including grocery stores, restaurants, hospitals and on cruise ships. FDA's traceback investigation identified Bedner Growers Inc. as the common grower of cucumbers in this outbreak.
FDA conducted an inspection at Bedner Farms Inc. in April 2025 as a follow up to a previous outbreak. During their inspection, environmental samples were collected. An environmental sample was identified as the outbreak strain of Salmonella. CDC and FDA are concerned that contaminated cucumbers may still be within shelf life based on the timing of illnesses in this outbreak.
WGS analysis of 25 people's samples did not predict resistance to any antibiotics. One person's sample predicted resistance to trimethoprim. More information is available at the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS) site. Most people with Salmonella illness recover without antibiotics. However, if antibiotics are needed, this resistance is unlikely to affect the choice of antibiotic used to treat most people.
Public health actions
CDC advises businesses to not sell or serve whole cucumbers grown by Bedner Growers Inc. and distributed by Fresh Start Produce Inc. between April 29, 2025 to May 19, 2025 while the investigation is ongoing. If you have any whole cucumbers in your home and can't tell where they are from, throw them out.
https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/bedner-growers-inc-recalls-cucumbers-because-possible-health-risk
Bedner Growers, Inc. Recalls Cucumbers Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date: May 19, 2025
FDA Publish Date: May 20, 2025
Product Type: Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement: Salmonella
Company Name: Bedner Growers, Inc.
Brand Name: No Brand Name
Product Description: Cucumbers
Company Announcement
Bedner Growers, Inc. of Boynton Beach, Florida is voluntarily recalling cucumbers sold at Bedner’s Farm Fresh Market between April 29, 2025, and May 14, 2025 because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.
The recalled cucumbers were sold directly to consumers at the three Bedner’s Farm Fresh Markets locations in Florida (Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, and West Palm Beach). Because the recalled cucumbers do not bear any stickers or other labeling, customers should discard and not consume any cucumbers that were purchased at these locations between April 29, 2025, and May 14, 2025.
The recalled cucumbers also were sold to a wholesale distributor, which has been directed to further contact its customers with recall instructions.
The cucumbers are being recalled because they have been linked by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to a Salmonella outbreak that has resulted in 26 illnesses in AL, CA, CO, FL, IL, KS, KY, MI, NC, NY, OH, PA, SC, TN, and VA.
This recall does not include any cucumbers currently available for sale at Bedner’s Farm Fresh Markets after May 14, 2025, nor does it include any other agricultural products. All cucumbers currently available for sale at Bedner’s Farm Fresh Markets were not grown by Bedner Growers, Inc., as the company is no longer producing, packing, or selling any cucumbers because the growing season has concluded.
Consumers who have purchased the recalled products may obtain additional information by contacting Bedner Growers, Inc. at 866-222-9180, M-F 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. EDT.
Bedner Growers, Inc. is conducting this recall in coordination with the FDA.
FDA conducted an inspection at Bedner Farms Inc. in April 2025 as a follow up to a previous outbreak. During their inspection, environmental samples were collected. An environmental sample was identified as the outbreak strain of Salmonella. CDC and FDA are concerned that contaminated cucumbers may still be within shelf life based on the timing of illnesses in this outbreak.
WGS analysis of 25 people's samples did not predict resistance to any antibiotics. One person's sample predicted resistance to trimethoprim. More information is available at the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS) site. Most people with Salmonella illness recover without antibiotics. However, if antibiotics are needed, this resistance is unlikely to affect the choice of antibiotic used to treat most people.
Public health actions
CDC advises businesses to not sell or serve whole cucumbers grown by Bedner Growers Inc. and distributed by Fresh Start Produce Inc. between April 29, 2025 to May 19, 2025 while the investigation is ongoing. If you have any whole cucumbers in your home and can't tell where they are from, throw them out.
https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/bedner-growers-inc-recalls-cucumbers-because-possible-health-risk
Bedner Growers, Inc. Recalls Cucumbers Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date: May 19, 2025
FDA Publish Date: May 20, 2025
Product Type: Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement: Salmonella
Company Name: Bedner Growers, Inc.
Brand Name: No Brand Name
Product Description: Cucumbers
Company Announcement
Bedner Growers, Inc. of Boynton Beach, Florida is voluntarily recalling cucumbers sold at Bedner’s Farm Fresh Market between April 29, 2025, and May 14, 2025 because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.
The recalled cucumbers were sold directly to consumers at the three Bedner’s Farm Fresh Markets locations in Florida (Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, and West Palm Beach). Because the recalled cucumbers do not bear any stickers or other labeling, customers should discard and not consume any cucumbers that were purchased at these locations between April 29, 2025, and May 14, 2025.
The recalled cucumbers also were sold to a wholesale distributor, which has been directed to further contact its customers with recall instructions.
The cucumbers are being recalled because they have been linked by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to a Salmonella outbreak that has resulted in 26 illnesses in AL, CA, CO, FL, IL, KS, KY, MI, NC, NY, OH, PA, SC, TN, and VA.
This recall does not include any cucumbers currently available for sale at Bedner’s Farm Fresh Markets after May 14, 2025, nor does it include any other agricultural products. All cucumbers currently available for sale at Bedner’s Farm Fresh Markets were not grown by Bedner Growers, Inc., as the company is no longer producing, packing, or selling any cucumbers because the growing season has concluded.
Consumers who have purchased the recalled products may obtain additional information by contacting Bedner Growers, Inc. at 866-222-9180, M-F 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. EDT.
Bedner Growers, Inc. is conducting this recall in coordination with the FDA.
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